Prize Fights

Prize fights are organized events where two people exchange blows with their fists, hands or feet, arranged in advance. Under s. 83(2) of the Criminal Code, a prize fight is defined as an encounter or fight with fists, hands or feet between two people who have met for that purpose by previous arrangement. The definition does not require a knockout or a declared winner, and it does not require that admission be charged.

In 2013, the meaning of prize fight was expanded and mixed martial arts was addressed in the exemptions.

Section 83 of the Criminal Code states that three groups of people could be charged in relation to a prize fight. They are: the men or women who are fighting as principals; those who advise, encourage or promote a prize fight; and anyone who attends the prize fight as an aid, second, surgeon, umpire, backer or reporter.

The legislation lists four examples of what does not constitute a prize fight. They can be summarized as: A contest between amateur athletes in a combative sport that is on the programme of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee, where the contest is held with provincial permission if the province requires it. A contest between amateur athletes in a combative sport that has been designated by the province's lieutenant governor in council or a person or body designated by that office, where the contest is held with the required provincial permission if the province requires it. A contest between amateur athletes in a combative sport held with the permission of the province's lieutenant governor in council or a person or body designated by that office. A boxing contest or mixed martial arts contest held with the permission or under the authority of an athletic board, commission or similar body established by or under the authority of the province's legislature.

Prize fighting was criminalized by statute in Canada in 1881, with no forms exempted. Lawmakers were not only concerned about the participants’ well-being but also feared these events would spur gambling and cause disruptions in neighbourhoods where they were held. By the early 1930s, Parliament carved out an exemption for amateur and commission-sanctioned professional boxing events. In 2013, that was expanded to include sports such as mixed martial arts (MMA).

According to speaking notes from an NDP MP that year, the perceived brutality of MMA was being overstated.

“It is worth noting that they pose far fewer risks for practitioners than other popular sports such as hockey and boxing. In fact, many other entirely legitimate sports result in far more serious injuries than do mixed martial arts and other combative sports,” she stated. “Studies have shown that serious head injuries occur less often in mixed martial arts than they do in hockey, for instance.’

The offence of being engaged in or connected to a prize fight is treated as a summary convictionUsed for lesser offences. According to s.787 (1) of the Code, the maximum penalty for a summary conviction is a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than two years less a day, or both.